The Dogo Onsen hot springs in western Japan fully reopened to the public on Thursday after five and a half years of conservation and repair work.
The Honkan, or main building, of Dogo Onsen is designated as a National Vital Cultural Property and is a popular tourist destination in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture.
The public toilets had been partially operational since 2019, while renovations were being carried out, adding anti-seismic work.
Braving the rainy weather, about fifty citizens and enthusiasts queued up before the opening at 6 a. m. They entered the baths while a Tokidaiko, or time drum, sounded six times on the ceiling.
A student in her twenties said she had been waiting for the opening since 10 p. m. the night before. She said she valued it because she felt refreshed after a soak in the hot springs and wanted to return.
Sugimura Yukinori, director of the Dogo Onsen office in Matsuyama city, said the staff was grateful to have overcome the COVID-19 pandemic and other difficult situations to welcome many visitors on the day of reopening.
He added that this would be the beginning of a new bankruptcy in the history of Dogo Onsen.